May 3, 2001 -- Scholars and fans of the Middle Ages are gathering Thursday for the world's largest conference on medieval studies. Thousands of medievalists will converge on Western Michigan University to gorge themselves on talks about Vikings and Celts, Dante and Chaucer, and Sir Gawain and Guinevere.

One of the biggest problems facing medieval professors is how teach a slow era in the speedy times of the 21st century. During a talk called Music History at 10 Years a Minute, Ithaca College music professor Arthur Samplaski will explain how to collapse 600 years of music history into one hour. Morning Edition asked Samplaski if it was possible to cover 600 years in 6 minutes. He said yes. Hear his 6-minute medieval music marathon from Morning Edition.

3. Anonymous 13th c. conductus (processional song): "Alle Psallite Cum Luya," performed by the Early Music Consort of London, the late David Munrow, dir. from Music of the Gothic Era, reissued on CD by the Musical Heritage Society, 1997, cat. # 524643F (2 CDs).